An Evaluation is a time-limited, disposable copy of a Template: the way you show your work to prospects and clients. Each one runs for the Evaluation time set on its Template, then expires and is removed automatically. There's nothing for you to clean up.
There are two ways to launch an Evaluation:
- From a short URL. Every Template has a public short URL. Anyone who opens it gets their own fresh Evaluation, with no Norcloud account needed. This is how prospects and clients normally see your work. See the Norcloud Short URL Interface.
- From the Template. Click Launch Evaluation on a Template (running or stopped) to try one yourself. You can also launch one from a Community Vertical.
What's in an Evaluation
An Evaluation is a copy of the Template's database, so it has the same apps, modules, settings and data, and the same logins. It's named after the Template with _eval added.
If the Template has Install Demo Data on Evaluation turned on, Odoo's demo data is added as well. That can take a couple of minutes, especially when many modules are installed.
Each Evaluation runs on the Template's Eval Launch Server Type. Its usage is charged to your wallet and shown in Norcloud Finance, like your other instances.
Your Evaluations list
Open Norcloud Management Interface → Evaluations to see your Evaluations, with the Template each came from and when it ends.
Click an Evaluation to open it. There's little to set: an Evaluation's details all come from its Template. The form shows its name, Template and Evaluation end time, and the ports and database it uses.
Opening an Evaluation
When the Evaluation is running, its link appears at the top of the form: Right-click here and open in private/incognito. As with Templates, open it in a private window so it doesn't interfere with your Norcloud login.
A banner in the Evaluation counts down the time it has left.
Log in with the same credentials as the Template. If demo data was installed, you'll find it already there.
Evaluation buttons
| Button | Available when | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Start Evaluation | Stopped | Starts the Evaluation again. |
| Stop Evaluation | Running | Stops the Evaluation. Its time keeps running while it's stopped. |
| Restart Evaluation | Running | Restarts it. With Full restart on, it does a full stop and start, which also applies newer module versions. |
| Destroy Evaluation | Draft, stopped or expired | Stops and deletes the Evaluation straight away, without waiting for it to expire. |
| Clear Error | Error | Clears the error so you can try again. |
The bottom of the form keeps Norcloud's history for the Evaluation. Use Log View to switch between the Activity Log, Error Logs and Information Logs.
When an Evaluation expires
When its end time passes, the Evaluation is marked Expired and stops working. Norcloud removes expired Evaluations automatically, usually within 15 minutes. Anything entered in an Evaluation is lost when it's removed, so make sure prospects know it's only for trying things out.
To give someone longer, change the Evaluation time on the Template. It applies to Evaluations launched after the change.